Illumina Leads $8M Financing Round for GenoLogics

Earlier this year GenoLogics entered a collaboration with and launched a new LIMS software for Illumina.[AlienForce - Fotolia.com]

GenoLogics, a provider of laboratory information management system (LIMS) software specifically designed for next-generation genomics labs, reported an $8 million round of financing led by new investor Illumina. Chief commercial officer and svp of Illumina, Tristan Orpin, will join GenoLogics’ board of directors.

The financing will be used to accelerate product development for future clinical applications and new desktop sequencing systems. GenoLogics also expects to expand sales and marketing functions.

In February GenoLogics and Illumina entered into a worldwide co-selling agreement under which Illumina can sell the GenoLogics LIMS to its next-generation sequencing (NGS) customers. GenoLogics also has a preferred partner agreement with Illumina, which has allowed the two companies to work closely together to ensure that GenoLogics’ LIMS software is complementary to Illumina’s hardware and sample prep kits.

In September GenoLogics released the GenoLogics LIMS preconfigured package for Illumina NGS systems and TruSeq sample prep kits. It reportedly speeds up implementation time for labs with Illumina systems while providing users with the flexibility to interface with other genomics systems. Importantly, an application programming interface also allows users to extend the LIMS to accommodate future changes in the lab.

The GenoLogics LIMS preconfigured for Illumina’s TruSeq kits includes new features that allow users to develop processes that map to Illumina’s TruSeq DNA and RNA sample preparation protocols and to automate the calculation of dilution volumes for library normalization. It also offers views designed to simplify locating individual and pooled sequencing libraries that share similar sequencing requirements when loading flow cells.

A new dashboard in the preconfigured GenoLogics LIMS allows users to track the present and past status of all Illumina sequencers in their labs and to automatically track runs across multiple instruments. Users can then populate the GenoLogics LIMS with key metrics, data location, and run status when a run is initiated on an Illumina sequencer.

The preconfigured GenoLogics LIMS automatically creates sample sheets to support CASAVA 1.8 demultiplexing. It reportedly ensures reliable sample traceability through accurate and automated tracking of sequencing runs and sample management, from the minute a sample is logged in to the generation of FASTQ converted and demultiplexed data.

Privately held GenoLogics is based in Victoria, British Columbia. It began developing its LIMS in 2003, delivered its first LIMS to a genomics lab in 2007, and delivered its first LIMS for next-generation sequencing in 2009.